I have no taste for that (plentiful) food and those hideous wounds.” Every one who desires (spiritual) health abandons the world.

ناپسندیدن روباه گفتن خر را کی من راضیم به قسمت

How the fox disapproved of the saying of the ass, “I am satisfied with my lot.”

گفت روبه جستن رزق حلال ** فرض باشد از برای امتثال

The fox said, “It is an (indispensable) obligation to seek lawful provision in obedience (to the Divine command).

عالم اسباب و چیزی بی‌سبب ** می‌نباید پس مهم باشد طلب

(This) is the world of means: nothing is obtained without a means: therefore it is important (necessary) to seek (provision).

وابتغوا من فضل الله است امر ** تا نباید غصب کردن هم‌چو نمر

‘And seek ye of the bounty of God’ is (a Divine) command, lest they (men) should seize (the property of others) by violence, like the leopard.

گفت پیغامبر که بر رزق ای فتی ** در فرو بسته‌ست و بر در قفلها 2385

The Prophet hath said, ‘The door is shut against (the arrival of) provision, O youth; and on the door there are locks.’

جنبش و آمد شد ما و اکتساب ** هست مفتاحی بر آن قفل و حجاب

Our movement (exertion) and our going to and fro (in search) and our acquisition is a key to that lock and barrier.

بی‌کلید این در گشادن راه نیست ** بی‌طلب نان سنت الله نیست

Without the key there is no way to open the door: bread without endeavour is not (according to) God's law.”

جواب گفتن خر روباه را

How the ass answered the fox.

گفت از ضعف توکل باشد آن ** ورنه بدهد نان کسی که داد جان

He (the ass) replied, “That is (the result) of weak faith; else He who gave (us) life (also) gives (us) bread.

هر که جوید پادشاهی و ظفر ** کم نیاید لقمه‌ی نان ای پسر

Whoever seeks (spiritual) sovereignty and victory, a mouthful of bread will not fail (him), O son.

دام و دد جمله همه اکال رزق ** نه پی کسپ‌اند نه حمال رزق 2390

All wild animals, both the herbivorous and the predatory, are devourers of the (Divine) provision: they neither go in quest of work (to get a livelihood) nor do they support (the burden of) providing (for themselves).